Deck block



Dec. 22, 19311 w, MERRIMAN 1,831,628

DECK BLOCK Filed Oct. 4, 1950 F 1 VEN TUE.

Patented Dec. 22, 1931 BROTHERS, I C; on JAMAICA rLArn, MAssAoHUsETr-sn oonronn'rron or Massa- CHUSETTS I Application filed October 4, 1930. Serial No. 486,358

This invention relates to deck blocks for use on board yachts or other. vessels, and more particularly to deck blocks of thetype which ar'e'arranged 'to be supportedin all 1 V V p r 'tion 'will be best understood and appreciated: w from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof,selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying:

positions out of contact with the deck.

Deck blocks are designed to be secured directly to the deck and are commonly 'used as leaders for sheets, halyards, or .other ropes. They may be used in other relations and for other purposes butin all cases it is desirable that the block should be supported in such a manner that it cannot strike the deck. or

other supporting surface when the rope running through it is being hauled or slackene d. If this precaution is not taken, the deck may be marred and there is danger of fouling the tackle.

Deck blocks of this type as heretofore con- 7 structed have required fittings of more or less special character and have been cumbersomein designand unattr ctive in appearance. I have discovered'th'at byproviding a novel filler or collar member adapted to be assembled and securedin place between the deck plate and the block, I am enabled to utilize practically any block of commercial design in theorgan zation'of my improved .deck block. Thus I make available single or double blocks of any specification including those having metal or wood shellsybronze or galvanized sheaves, for manilla or; wire rope. As herein shown, the filler member is composed of supplementary pieces which be assembled partially within the eye of the base plate or block after the two have been connected. The filler member thus constituted acts to limit the movement of the block toward the deck while leaving it free to assume whatever angular position its lead may require.

In addition to theadvantages above discussed, a deck block constructed in accord ance with my invention has the advantage that the eye in which the filler member is assembled may be utilized to the fullest eX- tent of its unobstructed opening in connecting the block and deck plate. Forexample, the eye of theblock may have a strap of substantial dimensions which can be passed through the unobstructed eye of the deck rrsn STATES;

FRANK w. MERRIMAN, or cAMnnI neE, messnorrusnr'rs, n'ssre von To MEBRIMAN DECK B ocK member.

These and other eatures'of the inven drawings, in which I i578; view in perspective of aswivel deck block; and f I g-Qis a view in perspective of; the" deck plate and associated parts in separated con dition.

invention isherein .illustrated'as em I bodied in a swivel deckblocln ot which the base comprises a substantially square deck plate 10 pertoratedat each corner for attaching screws and bolts by which it may be secured to the deck. A circular swivel 3 plate 14: is mounted in the deck plate 10 to turn freely about a vertical axis.

Formed integral with the swivel plate 14, or

otherwise rigidly secured thereto, is a'nup-Y standing eye 16 having substantially par} or legs and beingcircular in cross allel sides section. p

The block1 8 having a wooden shell and a metal sheaveQO mou'nted'therein i The block has" an eye 22 securityito carry the entirestrain imparted herein shown is asingle block thereto inuse. The strap23 of the eye of theblock issubstantijallyrectangular in cross section while the eye ears circular in cross section and of substantially the same dimensions'asthe eye of the deck plate. Thev upstanding eye l6ao'f the. deck plateis of sutli-i cient height to permit the strap23of the eye of the block to be passed through it before ihe 1parts of the block are completely assem- .ec.

The filler 'or' collar'member herein shown comprises a pairot filler pieces 24 and 26 are. substantially semi-circular "in shape and approximately the same outside diameteras the exposed portion of the swivel 28 and the filler piece 245is provided with a threaded hole so that it acts as anut when the clamping screw is turned to clamp the two pieces togetherin position upon the eye] 16. The upper surface of each filler piece is dished to accommodate the eye of the block 22 so that'the assembled filler memberpresents an upstanding peripheral rim located so as to'underlie the sides of the eye v22 of the block and limit the movement ofthe block toward the deck ingall positions of the,

block, j .7 7

-It .will be seen thatthe filler member is "secured to and carried b ythe swivel plate 14 withoutinterfering withlthe movement of the latter infanyj respect. fThe blockis, therefore, free to assume any position about the vertical aXis of the swivel plate] The block :is also free to be swung :in any vertical plane it may assume by reason of the articu lated connection of the: eyes .16 and,22 and this is true in very position into which it may be brought. The weight of the block is supported by the coaction ofthe eyes and the circular rim of the filler member, so that the block is never permitted to strike the deck or to assume an incorrect angle with respect to its lead. e f -While I have shown my invention as embodied in a single block of the swivel type,

itewill be understood that itis within the scope of my invention to employ any'desired type of block best. suited for the requirements of the case, with or withouta swivel mount- Having thus desfcribed'my invention, What Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent'isz i J I l. A deck block comprising a base adapted to be secured to a deck and having an up standi'ngeyaa block having an eye connected to the eye of the base, and a removable filler piece extending into the eye ofthe base, restricting thecopening thereof and limiting the movement of the block toward the deck.

2. A deck blockrcomprising a base adapted to be securedto a deck and having an upstandingeye, a blockhaving an eye connected to said upstanding eye, and a removable filler piece secured in position-between the sides of the eye of the base and having a curvedflange for engaging the eye of the block. v

3. A deck block comprising a base having anrupstanding eye, a block having an eye with an elo'ngated, strap of dimensions pera the eye of the block;

mitting it to be passed through the eye and being embedded in the body of theblock, and a separate'filler piece occupying a portion of the opening in the upstanding eye and having a curved peripheral rim for engaging the eye of the block. 7

4. A deck block comprising a base having an upstanding eye, a'block having an eye larpiece secured in placebetween' the sides of one eye andhaving a rim portion for engaging the other eye. i r

' 5. A deck block comprising a base having an eye with substantially parallel sides, a block having an eye interconnected there-- 'with, and atwo pa-rt, collar piece shaped "to fit between the sidesjof'the eye of the base, being reduced. in thickness at its center and .provided with a peripheral rim for engaging 6. A deck block comprising a base having Y interconnected therewith, and a two-part cole an upstanding eye of material substantially V circular in cross section, a block connfe'cted'to theeye, andfa pair of substantially semi-' circular filler pieces having curved recesses at each end to fit v the'sides of the eye,iand means for clamping said filler piecestogether;

cessesl a H I 7 A deck block comprising a base having an upright eye, a block connected thereto, and

with the sides of the eye engaged in said re 7 a pair of substantially semi-circular vfiller pieces each reduced in width at its straight side to center between the sides of the eye and c ed means for. drawing said pieces together. i

being dished in its upper surface, and thread 8. A deck block comprising a base having a swivel plate with anupright eye, a block connected 'to the eye, and a filler member comprising segmentalspieces assembled upon the. swivel plate and detachably'clamped in position thereon so as partially to fill said eye.

- FRANK W. MERRIMAN. 

